With much theatre portrayed in extravagant settings, from mansions in New York to opera houses in Paris, it’s important to reinvent a more down to earth, relatable environment, and represent the people that live there. Shows like Sunshine on Leith, Rebus and One Day help transform this environment with the help of the beautiful, historic city that is Edinburgh.
One exciting new musical set in Edinburgh is One Day. Based on the 2009 novel by David Nicholls, the Netflix adaptation starring Ambika Mod and Leo Woodhall dominated screens last year. Following recent Edinburgh University graduates Dexter and Emma, the storyline weaves through the trials and tribulations of their lives over the next two decades, showing them on the 15th of July each year. With the opening scene in the iconic Old College square, it paints an idyllic scene of Edinburgh. From Arthur’s seat to the Vennel Steps, One Day encapsulates Edinburgh’s unique magic.
Opening at The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh on the 12 March with a near month long run, viewers are in for a treat with the incredible Jamie Muscato—who has just finished a run as Jay Gatsby on the West End— as Dexter, alongside Sharon Rose as Emma. One Day is a raw, relatable story full of struggle, emotion and love. It really encapsulates the right person, wrong time storyline. This musical will no doubt be a hit among all ages, especially those that attend or have attended the University of Edinburgh!
Another well-known musical among most Scots is Sunshine on Leith, which features an iconic medley of songs from the popular Edinburgh born-and-bred band The Proclaimers. It follows the characters Davy and Ally, who have to relearn living a normal day to day life in Edinburgh after serving as soldiers in Afghanistan. This musical shows the more human side to things—unlike One Day, which shows extravagant parties and manor houses, Sunshine on Leith portrays recognisable, human Scottish characters as they do things as mundane as trips to the pub and watching the football.
This representation brings Scottish life to centre stage, which is undoubtedly important. While there is no Sunshine on Leith musical tour at the moment, individual theatres like the Stoke Rep and Pitlochry are showcasing their own productions. The Royal Lyceum Theatre’s new Artistic Director James Brining directed the first version of Sunshine on Leith at Dundee Rep in 2007 — could it make a return to Edinburgh’s stages soon?
A play that is also famously set in Edinburgh is Rebus, an adaptation of Ian Rankin’s exceedingly popular detective novels. This play follows the life of detective John Rebus who investigates crime and conflict in and around Edinburgh. With this play being set in present-day Edinburgh, important issues are raised like Scottish independence and the construction of the tram line in Edinburgh. A more personal connection with the audience is created here, as Rebus reflects contemporary Scottish political issues.
While Rebus does not have any upcoming dates, they completed an acclaimed run at the Queens Theatre in Hornchurch in 2023, before moving onto a UK tour which included stopping at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre in September 2024.
Overall, showcasing Edinburgh in and throughout theatre is vital not only for showing just how beautiful Edinburgh really is, but it is important to amplify and stage Scottish voices, issues and stories.
Illustration by Rose Bingham for the Student